rogerfisher

I need advise. I want to ride with shorts during the nice hot days; however I have some sores and scars on my lower legs from a recent medical condition. My legs are clearing up, but they still noticeably grotesque.
Any suggestions or thoughts?

Thank you,

Roger

JimF22003

Ignore it if you can. Everybody else will.

I have a large dark patch on one outer calf from a case of cellulitis I had almost 15 years ago. It's not going to go away. I also have some scars on my inner thighs from where I had excess skin removed after losing a great deal of weight. Also my calfs are a bit saggy from the same cause.

I don't really think of it anymore. I've never once had anybody comment or even notice as far as i can tell.

You could try makeup or something I guess, but I'm thinking that would get pretty messy or runny when it gets hot and you start to sweat.

Panthers007

Yep^^^ - ignore it. You're a cyclist, not a male fashion-model. Anyone who'd have a negative reaction to such is no one you'd want to know.

caloso

Don't worry about it. I'm suffering an excema attack this week and my legs look like hell too. Ride hard. Show them your legs as they shrink into the distance.

stapfam

If anyone asks- it was when you had an off at 50mph on a rocky descent on the $5,000 Mountain bike.

My legs are covered with scars- from hitting rocks- brambles and road rash. I never notice them and neither does anyone else.

Bander

Think up a fun and grotesque story you can tell to people that ask about the source of the scars and sores. Something involving a car hitting you or a run in with a hostile wild animal should do. Then act proud of the scars as you tell the story, and people will think you are tough and cool.

travelmama

Don't sweat it and go out to get your ride on.

coldfeet

Yeah, what they said. Either that or a pair of thin spandex tights.

Sirrus Rider

Ignore it.. You could be like me and have a hasty 2 inch scar on your shin from falling down a casement while on a pantie raid.

rogerfisher

Thanks all! I will take your suggestions and come up with an awsome (beyond belief) story for them to "chew on". I can say...it was when I rocketed off at 50mph on a rocky descent on the $5,000 Mountain bike when a car hit me and I had a run in with some kind of hostile wild animal. I thought it was the Tazmanian Devil!

Yeah, that might work!

jdon

Have you seen cyclists legs? Nobody walks away without scars and wounds of some type. As above, have fun with it and enjoy the ride!

Oh... stick to wild boars. Unless of course your story takes place down under!

Booger1

I know exactly how you feel.I've been in a few car accidents and was attacked by dogs.I've tried wearing shorts but it scares the women and children.Believe me,they notice my legs.When they get tan,it looks like 20 miles of white railroad track with some bomb craters mixed in.It's bad enough that people have to see my arms.

stapfam

I believe it already.

caloso

Yeah... That's the ticket!

CastIron

DeSoto leg coolers if you don't feel like the grief and don't want to wear warm pants.

Nestor

The scars are from a collision with a stupid photographer that stepped out to take your picture on the final switchback of the Alpe d'Huez.

Yeah. That's it.

rwp

It was a Python...and it was in Borneo!

By the way, my scars are all from knife fighting in Tijuana!

Kimmitt 

Yeah, unless you're so badly off that you're gonna frighten people with fear of infection, don't worry about it. People get hurt. Wounds take some time to heal up. In informal situations, we all agree not to stare and move on with our lives.

JanMM

If you have open wounds/sores, then cover them up. For your sake and ours.

Rob P.

Don't forget to mention that all that happened while you were on a cruise.

borgagain

I have a 4" x 8" scar on my right shin along with some lesser ones on that lower leg. I got hit by a car while on a bike at age 19 in 1979 and spent a year having my shattered leg put back together. It's nearly fully functional now but the big scar is repulsive. A friend who saw it by accident once, told me it nearly made her barf.

I've been in long pants ever since the accident but I finally got fed up and decided I wanted to be comfortable this summer.

I got a "Compression Calf Brace". This is a breathable black fabric and elastic tube that contours to your lower leg and stays put. Once it's in place I don't notice it's there. It covers the scars nicely. It might look a little funny but I can now wear shorts without initiating the gag reflex in others, well not due to the scars anyway...

I got my Calf Brace on Amazon.com. It came from Alpha Medical and was inexpensive.

You will need to measure around the upper part of your lower leg, 4.5" below your knee. If you are on the border between two sizes, go to the next size up. You aren't using it for a brace, just a cover and comfort is more important than a tight fit.

JPradun

That's what my plastic surgeon gave me for my face after a bad crash. Alternatively, Maderma works pretty well, too.

It will take many, many months for it to fade. Start early while it's still fresh.

cz2509

If they are looking at your legs, it means your shorts arent tight enough.

Zan

let leg hair grow back in? might work to an extent... you can't see too many of my scars due to my hair.

you said they're clearing up, so perhaps you could stop shaving for a while.

Of course, this is assuming you shave.

Velo Dog

Add me to the list of those who say to ignore the scars. I have a matched set, right leg from grenade fragments and left leg from a helicopter crash (bad couple of days in Vietnam). Granted, I've had 40 years to get used to them, but I quit worrying about them years ago. When I was single, they were a good conversation starter. Most people aren't paying as much attention to us as we think they are.